Workmen's advocate., 1887-04-30

others The workers are given but just enough to enable them to perform their allotted daily task lthe rate of hJe regu- lating the rate of wages) and all surplus over and above this goes into the pock- cts of those who do not produce it, and therefore have no right to it.
 Our laws are now made and enforced only in the interest of these monopolizers of the means of labor. And their work ings are such as to make the few rich by keeping the many poor A comparative few have accumulated, by legal piracy, large fortunes, which have enabled them to drive the individual labor-capitalists to the wall, pressing them into the ranks of wage-workers.
 For the last century the fruits of in yention have been absorbed by this class, and our government has been gradually coming under their control, until now legislation is but little better than a scheme to take from the laborer and give to the capitalist.
 TO RIGHT THE WRONGS.
 The first step in the direction of right ing these wrongs is simple one, and easy; but it is imperative that it be taken. The wage-workers must cut dd,W from political parties controlled by producers, monopolisls and dlers generally, and form a new party having in view their own interests. What are their interests? The right to work and to retain the result of their labor. This first step taken-the workers united in one harmonious and intelligent body industrial reconstruction will be an easy task. There would be no sudden disar- engagement of our industies. Rather the wrongs of present societary arrange ments would be gradually eliminated as fast, in fact, as the people became Socialists.
 The post-oflice department is far from perfect. But are not our letters and papers carried safer and swifter than if left to the mercy of private corporations? Is not the work done cheaper than it would be by individuals intent only on acquiring wealth? And at the same time are not those employed in this de- I lrtnlanf rl hot ttn,. paid than those subjected to the compe-, tition constantly going on in the trades under the control of private capital? The fire departments of our cities are far from being perfect. But is any one crazy enough to advocate putting them under the control of private corporations, and the public necessities made means of bringing wealth to few at the ex- pense of the many? You say: Public necessity demands that these depart ments should be under the control of whole people. The interests involved are too valuable to be entrusted to the whims of private parties" We'll and good. And now is not the very exist ence of the wage workers of the land | imperiled by leaving the means of life | the production of what is necessary for their health, comfort and enjoyment under the control of comparatively few, to be manipulated for their own selfish purposes rather than for the good of the whole community? Does not public necessity demand change in our present way of production and dis tribution?
 Can not every trade be brought under government control as we'll as the post office, fire or police departments? If | the government can hire a million men to burn and destroy and cut peoples th.oats, cannot they hire them and set them to work producing? The govern nent can employ and pay them the full value of their labor.
 And now the question heading this tract, "Who should be Socialists:" is easily answered. Every person should be Socialist who wishes a more precise orderly and harmonious arrangement of the social relations of mankind.